DVD Fail. – Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2

Despite your feelings on Inglourious Basterds, one cannot deny that Tarantino’s influence on American film has been great. Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown (my favorite) left their mark on an eager film world ready for something different. Knock-off and copycat filmmakers plagued the 90s, all trying to recapture the pop-culture infested dialogue and disregard for the traditional three-arc narrative. However, after the release of Jackie Brown, Tarantino waited nearly six years before releasing his next film: the kung-fu, Spaghetti Western, Anime, samurai flick hybrid Kill Bill.

I would like to think this time helped Tarantino develop and mature as an artist, but rather than evolve and build upon his excellent portfolio from the 1990s, the talkative auteur took nearly three steps back. Tarantino has always borrowed (or stole, depending on who you ask) from other films, but in the past, and even with Basterds, I felt as if the director was building upon the genres and films he was referencing. In Kill Bill, Tarantino is just the ultimate fan boy.

This isn’t today that the film doesn’t have its redeeming qualities. The first time around, Vol. 1 is exhilarating fun. The rapidly paced and action laced scenes make the run-time fly by as you revel in the violent spectacle of it all. But the pace change in Vol. 2 brings this locomotive revenge flick to a grinding halt. Tarantino tries to get serious.

He attempts some sort of feminist/social commentary about women, revenge and the genre films he is referencing. However, for all of the ways he tries to challenge gender stereotypes or genre cliches, he spends twice as much time recalling moments in his favorite genre films. What does Tarantino have to say that is new about Spagthetti Westerns? I really don’t know, but I do know that Ennio Morricone’s music is iconic, not to mention a quick way to make a scene epic (as POWSO video fans surely already know). There seems to be no other purpose aside from this. What makes his references ultimately problematic is he also adheres to a multitude of genre cliches. By haphazardly picking and choosing which of the genre’s elements he wishes to use, he eliminates any possibility for a coherent or clear critical statement. Watching these movies just gives me a headache.

I know, maybe that last paragraph makes me sound like a pompous ass, but it’s not like I can’t appreciate a fun time at the movies. I love From Dusk ‘Till Dawn and Planet Terror. This is generally why I respect Robert Rodriguez more than Tarantino. Rodriguez makes the genre films Tarantino tries to mimic. Rodriguez has no delusions of grandeur, he is just making fun, ridiculous films. Tarantino tries to elevate his films to the status of high art.

He wants to have it both ways and I am sorry to say that it just doesn’t work through the methods he’s using. Worse yet, this actually affects the overall enjoyability of re-watching Volume 1. There is no satisfying ultraviolet conclusion to this revenge quest. What the audience gets is some of Tarantino’s most over-done and masturbatory dialogue – i.e., Bill’s Superman speech. It’s a great premise and a wonderful idea that fails due to poor and misplaced execution.

But aside from offering my critique of the Kill Bill series, let’s get to whether or not you should buy the DVD of these particular films. Short answer: no.

The “no” doesn’t come just because I am not a fan of the movies. Even fans of Kill Bill get the shaft when it comes to the DVD. Both the Vol. 1 and 2 DVD release are gimped and offer modest, if almost non-existent special features. There are a couple of “Making Of” documentaries that look like they were part of some E television special. In other words, pure fluff. Those looking for substantial insight on the film’s production won’t find it here.

These slim pickins’ on the DVD are primarily the result of Tarantino’s promise to release some definitive, director’s cut version of the film at a later date. Since their initial release in 03 and 04, it has been all quiet on the special edition front. Tarantino is notorious for having ADD when it comes to his projects. He becomes extremely dedicated and devoted to one, but as soon as something else comes along he drops the previous one like a brick.

The introduction of Blu Ray just provides the man with another excuse to delay production and release of the “definitive” Kill Bill DVD. Hell, it took nearly eight years to get the special editions of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown.

DVD special features may soon be going the way of the dodo. With DVD sales in sharp decline, the studios are axing the supplementary content with the hopes that this will make this business much more profitable. I still must contest that even a director or cast commentary could have been extremely insightful. Opportunity fail.

Rabid Tarantino fans already have the DVDs, so my warnings and opinion will mean nothing. However, those who loved Basterds and are working on polishing up their Tarantino knowledge should considered yourself warned. Stick to a rental or cheap download, the DVD is not worth your time or money.

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